(mikey's intelligence isn't so much on the perception of his surroundings. it's an intuition, a feeling that makes him see things that are hidden to the eye, while not noticing others. what his eyes capture is not the updated uniform, not yet anyway, but the relief in the boy's smile, the tiredness in his eyes, and his hand reaches to cup takemichi's cheek so he can have a better look. there are things in there that are familiar, like coming home, and things that are utterly untangible - he's... different, and mikey can't tell exactly what it is.

almost like the weight on his shoulders has increased tenfold. mikey's hollow eyes are calm, the smile gentle.)

Of course you need permission to die. If you die, that mean you lost, and I'm with you, right? So you can't ever lose.